A Little Night Music

Presented by: Opera Australia

Venue: State Theatre, The Arts Centre

Reviewer:Simon Parris

Date Reviewed: Thursday 21st May 2009
Sigrid sings!

Sigrid Thornton (Desiree Armfeldt) & Robert Grubb (Fredrik Egerman)
in Opera Australia's 'A Little Night Music'

Thank heavens for the subsidised arts arena. Where else see would you see such a jewel of a production with, economically speaking, such an unviably short season?

After the success of 2008’s My Fair Lady, Opera Australia have turned their attention to Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler’s delightful classic A little Night Music. Retaining most of the artistic team and some of the cast from My Fair Lady, OA have produced a dreamy, elegant confection that is a treat for the eye and ear.

Roger Kirk has designed a giant music box with the company dressed as impossibly glamorous dolls playing on the expansive stage. Sheer gossamer curtains, painted with verdant, abstract watercolors, frame the action while a giant turntable revolves the human and physical props in and out of the action. The result achieves a breathless, cinematic flow that serves the story beautifully.

Costumes are lavish, and exquisite in appearance. Sigrid Thornton (as Désirée) is the crown jewel, adorned with vivid pinks and purples (plus an occasional white). Grand Dame Nancye Hayes (Madame Armfeldt) glitters even in black. The character of Count Carl-Magnus Malcolm (Ben Lewis) is enhanced with splendid military attire. The only questionable choice was having the caustic, world-weary Countess Charlotte Malcolm (Katrina Retallick) wear a shimmering baby blue gown with her hair in blonde ringlets.

Director Stuart Maunder deserves kudos for his contribution to the concept of the production as well, but his touch with the comic aspects of the show was not as assured. Only the broadest of laughs landed with the audience, with much of the scripted and physical humour missed due to the overly earnest portrayal of the characters. It was as if most of the cast were too nervous to actually be funny. The cavernous auditorium of the State Theatre did not help with this.

Perennial star Sigrid Thornton acquits herself more than admirably in her first foray on the musical stage. Her Désirée is a self important but emotionally torn peacock whose presence is felt even when she is not on stage. Thornton’s singing in the mega-hit Send in the Clowns is perfect and is one of those rare performances where you feel you are hearing a song for the first time even though you have known it for years.

As Fredrik, Robert Grubb sounds more like a working man made good than a successful lawyer. He noticeably hits his stride, however, in his important last couple of scenes. Nancye Hayes is all class as Madame Armfeldt. The dashing Matthew Robinson is somewhat wasted as the dreary Henrik. Ben Lewis (Carl-Magnus) is in fine voice, and his imposing stature suits the role well. Kate Maree Hoolihan (Petra) almost steals the show with her 11 o’clock number The Miller’s Son.

The greek chorus of five high society ladies and gentlemen sings exquisitely, enhanced by the presence of OA’s Jacqueline Dark. Orchestra Victoria gives a divine rendition of the score.

Overall, this is as sumptuous a production of this all time classic as we are likely to see for a long while. Aficionados should make haste to the State Theatre.

A Little Night Music plays until 30^th May. Bookings are through Ticketmaster http://www.ticketmaster.com.au

Byron Watson (Frid) Erica Lovell (Fredrika) Nancye Hayes (Mme Armfeldt)
& Sigrid Thornton (Desiree) in OA's 'A Little Night Music'

Simon has appeared in about 40 productions over the past thirty years. Recent roles include Uncle Henry/Guard of the Gate in The Wizard of Oz (Catchment) and Eugene Fodor in Crazy for You (Whitehorse). Other favourite roles include Mr Fox in Mack and Mabel, Max in The Sound of Music, Freddy in My Fair Lady, Julio in Paint Your Wagon, Marcellus in The Music Man and Grantaire in Les Miserables.

Simon has directed several school productions. Recently he choreographed Urinetown and Little Shop of Horrors for St Michael’s Grammar School. He is currently directing Hot Mikado for St Michael’s, to be staged at the Athenaeum Theatre in May.

Simon has served on the Music Theatre Guild of Victoria Committee for five years, and is currently Treasurer. He is also a keen audience member, having seen over 50 shows in five weeks on a recent trip to New York and London.